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Yakowa For Burial ‘Morrow …Bayelsa Holds Valedictory Session

Published

13 years ago

December 19, 2012

Governor Patrick Yakowa who died along with General Patrick Azazi and others in an helicopter crash in Bayelsa, Saturday will be buried tomorrow in his hometown Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The remains of former Governor Patrick Yakowa arrived Kaduna yesterday amidst tears by thousands of sympathisers that thronged the Kaduna Airport.

The corpse and that of Dauda Tsoho arrived the airport at 2:45pm accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral John Jonah. Jonah expressed sympathy with the family and the people of the state.

He said the Bayelsa Government had held a Valedictory Executive Session in memory of the late governor, and described Yakowa as a bridge builder, whose career was dedicated to ensuring peace and development.

He urged the people in the state to support the new governor to enable the state forge ahead.

Receiving the remains of the late governor, Governor Mukhtar Yero expressed appreciation to the government and people of Bayelsa for their support and prayers.

Yero assured the people that he would continue with the foundation laid by the late governor for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress in the state.

Archbishop Mathew Ndagoso of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocess, Bishop George Dodo (Zaria Diocess) and Bishop Mathew Kiakh (Sokoto Diocess) led prayers at the airport.

The usual praises, hails and songs of supports from bystanders that usually accompany the late governor’s convoy was missing as solemn residents in clusters gathered by the road side to bid farewell to the deceased.

The late governor left behind a wife, Mrs Amina Yakowa and four children: Peter, Kyola, Rose and Benedicta.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government yesterday held a valedictory session in honour of the former governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa who along with former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi including four others died in a Navy helicopter on Saturday.

The corpse was brought to Banquet Hall at about 8.30am for the ceremony and for onward journey to Kaduna State for burial tomorrow.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and other eminent Nigerians in their separate speeches extolled the virtues of Late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, describing him as a bridge builder and true democrat.

Late Yakowa and five others lost their lives in a Naval Helicopter crash on Saturday in Tombi community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State while returning from the funeral ceremony of the father of the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Late Pa Tamuno Obebera Douglas in Okoroba community.

In attendance, at the valedictory session were the wife of the Governor, Mrs Rachael Dickson, the Service Chiefs, traditional rulers, representatives of the Kaduna State government and others.

Describing the death of Late Yakowa as shocking, Hon. Dickson said the deceased contributed in no small measure to the unity of the country.

His words: “we have lost a great friend, a great leader and a great patriot who believed in the possibilities of a united Nigeria. He came building the bonds of unity and fraternity in our country. He was a bridge builder in life and died doing so. May his death motivate us all to do more to unite this country and its people.

With his untimely and unfortunate demise, our nation has lost a servant and patriot. The good people of Kaduna have lost a great leader and Governor. The family has lost a great husband, father, grandfather and a patriarch. Bayelsa State has lost a great friend and I have personally lost an elder brother, colleague and friend.”

The governor assured the immediate family of the deceased of the support of the government, stating, “Bayelsa will always be there for you now and in the future and you can call it your home too. Here in Bayelsa, we do not forget our friends.”

In his tribute, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha described Kaduna State as the epi-centre of Northern Nigeria politics, adding that during his life time, the former governor was able to unite Northern and Southern Kaduna.

According to him, he was a celebrated democrat who believed strongly in his people and was a pillar of trust and support to President Goodluck Jonathan, adding “let his departure be a source of encouragement to those who value peace, justice and equity.”

Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison-Oguru said the names of the late Governor truly reflects the various ethno-religious groups in the country, adding that he had successfully built bridges linking Northern and Southern parts of the country.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.